While saying that he and his fellow players are working to “clean up” baseball’s continuing involvement with illegal performance-enhancing drugs, CC Sabathia nevertheless said that he hopes to see Alex Rodriguez back in a Yankees uniform at some point this season.

“Of course. Why not? When healthy, he’s a big part of our team,” Sabathia said last night at the 33rd annual Thurman Munson Dinner, which benefits the AHRC New York City Foundation, at the Grand Hyatt in Manhattan. “Yeah, we want him to be healthy and come back and try to help us win.”

Rodriguez, who isn’t expected back until mid-July at the earliest after undergoing left hip surgery last month, has denied the contents of a Miami New Times report that alleged he purchased drugs from Biogenesis, an anti-aging clinic in South Florida. Major League Baseball is investigating the charges.

Sabathia, who received an honor for his PitCCH In Foundation, declined to comment directly on A-Rod’s current mess, instead following the lead of team captan Derek Jeter.

“I’m going to take Jete’s stance on it and wait until [Rodriguez] comments,” Sabathia said. “Just wait and see what happens.”

The lefty expressed frustration that such matters keep surfacing.

“Unfortunately, it’s been part of the game,” he said. “It’s something we’re trying to work to try to deal with, clean up. So you’re going to have these things from time to time.”

Rodriguez’s health is more likely to end his career than any disciplinary issues, yet if he didn’t make it back this season, Sabathia said, “I would be surprised. I know how hard he works, how much he cares about wanting to play and wanting to help the team. I look for him to do everything he can to get back on the field and try to help us.”

As for his own health, Sabathia — who underwent surgery last October to remove a bone spur from his left elbow — said he is a little behind his normal schedule, but that he expects to be ready for the start of the regular season.